Commission on Elections Chair Andres Bautista enters his computer passcode for the canvassing of votes for the senatorial and party-list elections at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE/INQUIRER
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has said it will investigate the breach of protocol committed by election technology provider Smartmatic when it effected change in the transparency script during Election Day.
In a press conference, Comelec Commissioner Christian Robert Lim said Smartmatic admitted that they had broken protocols to change the character 鈥�?鈥� to 鈥溍扁�� in some of the candidate鈥檚 names.
Lim said he should have been informed first before Smartmatic鈥檚 Marlon Garcia changed the transparency script.
鈥淚naamin ng Smartmatic na may pagkukulang sila. I should have been informed that they wanted this change,鈥� Lim said.
He said Smartmatic changed the script before informing the parties present. Protocol dictates that parties should be informed first before any change in the script could be made.
鈥淚n fact before effecting the change, they should have also announced it to the parties there that they will effect the change. There were lapses in protocol 鈥� The change was made [first] and the parties were informed after the change was made,鈥� the commissioner said.
Asked if the Comelec will make Smartmatic accountable for its breach of protocol, Chair Andres Bautista said: 鈥淲e will look into that.鈥�
In the same press conference, Bautista reiterated that the 鈥渃osmetic change鈥� effected would not affect the results, the counting or the canvassing of the votes.
The tweak in the transparency server has been claimed by the camp of vice presidential candidate Sen. Ferdinand 鈥淏ongbong鈥� Marcos Jr. as proof that the senator is being cheated to favor front-runner Maria Leonor 鈥淟eni鈥� Robredo.
Robredo and Marcos are currently in a neck and neck race for the vice presidency with the administration candidate leading by 210,000 votes. RC